I've thought about my passion for reaching and investing in young women a lot lately. I feel like I am in a season of life where God is leading me to dig deep into the things that I was created for. I want to make a difference and I want to do it in a way that is honoring to God and to the way He created me. We are in a series at church called "Life Verse" and our pastor has been talking about knowing and using our passions, gifts, and talents. I KNOW my passion is investing and loving on young women. I even know God has gifted me with the ability to form relationships and speak into lives. What I don't know is exactly how I am supposed to do that.
Lately I've become less and less enamored with facebook. I can't handle the drama, the snide and pompous remarks about every possible subject under the sun, and honestly, I care less and less about what restaurant folks are eating at this evening. On the other hand, I am loving Instagram more and more. I think I like it because I can quickly scroll through pretty and interesting pictures. I can get a snapshot of someone's world and most of the time, I recognize that we put the best of our world out there. It doesn't take an emotional toll on me. :)
So....here is my challenge and a heart issue for me. Why do I catch myself checking to see how many "followers" I have on Instagram? Why am I frightened to see if this blog is a way God would have me reach young women? Why do we all hesitate sometimes to do the very things we feel called to do? I know why in my case - I am scared deep inside that no one will care and that matters to me much, much more than I want it to matter. I am recognizing lately that the "world" has a pretty serious hold on me. Don't get me wrong, i don't believe God has an issue with us enjoying the things of the world. I believe the issue comes when I don't do something I believe He is calling me to do because I am afraid of what the world will think. I think it is a sin when I choose to follow a way of the world that will gain merit in this life instead of joy in the next life.
Social media is one of the very best and the very worst things that has ever happened to us. It allows us to connect with family and friends that don't live close by and that is wonderful and amazing. I am SO grateful that I can see pictures of my family and friends and smile at their joys. Social media, also though, encourages us to compete and keep up with others. It teaches us that we need to be accepted and adored by those around us and I cannot find that anywhere in the Bible. In fact, I am pretty sure the Bible talks about the fact that we WON'T be accepted here on this earth often when we choose to walk out our faith.
For today, I am going to continue to ponder and pray about this. I am going to pray for God's will in my life to be carried out. I am going to pray that what this world thinks will matter less and less. I am going to pray for courage to reach out, to love, and to invest regardless of what comes from it.
